As the world observes World Wildlife Day on Monday, this year’s theme, ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,’ underscores the importance of sustainable funding in global conservation efforts. In alignment with this vision, ‘Project Lion,’ an ambitious initiative dedicated to the conservation and expansion of the Asiatic lion population, is set to play a crucial role in ensuring the survival of this iconic species in India.
The Government of India has recently approved a landmark budget of Rs 2927.71 crore for Project Lion, which will span the next decade. The primary focus of the initiative is to ensure the well-being and expansion of the Asiatic lion population. According to the 2020 census, there are 674 Asiatic lions, residing in 53 talukas across 9 districts, covering nearly 30,000 square kilometers in Gujarat.
One of the key sites for the project is Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, which once had a modest population of just 8 lions. Through natural population growth and successful breeding efforts, Barda now hosts 17 lions, including 6 adults and 11 cubs. This development has made Barda a “second home” for the Asiatic lions, and Project Lion aims to ensure the continued expansion of the population.
The project employs a holistic approach, addressing several key areas to guarantee the long-term survival of the species. These strategies include ensuring healthy ecosystems for the lions to thrive and carefully managing their population to prevent overgrowth and resource depletion.
A critical part of the initiative is the establishment of the National Referral Center for Wildlife Health in Junagadh. With 20.24 hectares of land already allocated, the center will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the care and monitoring of wildlife health.
To reduce human-lion conflicts, 11,000 machans (platforms) have been constructed for farmers to protect their crops from lions. Additionally, over 55,000 open wells have been equipped with parapet walls to prevent lion fatalities. Public participation is another vital component of Project Lion. In 2024 alone, more than 18 lakh individuals and over 11,000 institutions participated in awareness programs, furthering the cause of lion conservation. Efforts to promote eco-tourism in the region have also contributed to raising awareness about these efforts.
In 2024, the recruitment of 237 beat guards, including 75 women, will help safeguard the protected areas and reduce the risk of conflicts. Moreover, a fleet of 92 rescue vehicles has been deployed to ensure prompt responses to wildlife emergencies and animal rescues. Collaboration with the Indian Railways has also led to the introduction of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), aimed at preventing lion fatalities on railway tracks in the Greater Gir region.
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